Breaking free from our "normal" schedule, Ivan and I were able to celebrate our anniversary (I cannot believe it has already been one year!) and go away for a few days.  Finding a time slot of 24 hours free is pretty challenging but somehow we found a break in our schedule.  We've also been blessed by someone lending us their vehicle for the summer which meant a much more comfortable ride for me!  We went north, towards Quito, to the natural hot springs, Termas in Papallacta.  Sitting in a natural hot tub is exactly my idea of relaxing!  We left Shell with our cell phones turned off and no wi-fi access and it was glorious.  While it wasn't an exactly care-free kind of drive (5 hours of rain, landslides, potholes, and broken bridges) we did enjoy having that time together away from other distractions. 

one of many stops as they worked to clear the road

We managed to NOT talk about young life, ministry, work, upcoming plans, camp, etc.  It was exactly what we needed. 
I am so grateful that we serve a God who meets our every need. 
The week leading up to our anniversary was especially stressful as a situation arose within our leadership team that needed to be dealt with.  A situation that left us feeling disappointed, discouraged, and defeated.  It is amazing how quickly the enemy`s lies come sneaking in and he seeks to steal our joy.  It would have been so easy to cancel our little trip and miss the blessing of that time spent together because of the problems that seem to be looming over us.  It`s moments like that when I am so grateful to have people in our lives who stand with us in prayer and seek God´s wisdom for our lives.  I am reminded that we are meant to be in community with one another, to lift one another up. 
It was a blessing to take a break and see beyond the recent problems and be reminded that our God is so much greater and so much bigger than what we can comprehend.  On our drive back to Shell, the rain had finally stopped and we enjoyed a beautiful view hour after hour.  At every new corner there was a waterfall displaying its splendor. 

Waterfalls hidden into the crevices of the mountains, gurgling behind the trees.  When we left Shell towards our destination, I didn´t see the beauty surrounding me.  I was with my brows furrowed, squinting through the rain, nervously watching the road for debris left from recent landslides.  Too focused on the problems, on the potential for disaster, to enjoy anything beyond that.  What a difference in perspective when the sun was shining!  Perhaps in the same way we began our trip weighted down by our discouragement and feeling of defeat.  As we soaked in the hot springs, we also were able to soak in God´s presence, being reminded of who He is, that He has defeated the grave!  The Son is shining and is seated on the heavenly throne and that should give us a new perspective!

Jesus calls us, o´er  the tumult of our life´s wild, restless sea,

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying ¨Christian, follow Me.¨

In our joys and in our sorrows, Days of toil and hours of ease, 

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures, ¨Christian, love Me more than these.¨

(William H. Jude)

So many waterfalls!

Stopping to buy some chonta, yuca, verde, and jugo de cana